Attendees: Bob Carroll, Mario Gangemi, Holly Hannum, Doug Hill, Larry Klevans, Dan Schneckenburger, Nancy Simpers, Hinda Smith, Dan Speakman, Rick Waterhouse

Dan Schneckenburger called the meeting to order at 6:35 P.M.

The minutes from the April Board meeting were approved.

President’s Report: Dan Schneckenburger
October 11 will be Fox Trot Ball. There will be another planning meeting before long.

Dan Sc. has gotten a lot of requests to use the center for weddings and other events. We don’t have the time to be here for set up and there are possible conflicts with camps, etc. So we will not accept any new requests at this time. The ads for this should be removed from The Buzz.

Doug suggested that we use this as a benefit for the membership. Holly mentioned a conflict that came up with a scheduled use and a class that was scheduled at the same time.

Program Committee: Barb Snyder
Coming programs:
June 13 - Bees
June 14 - Fair Hill Training Center
July 18-29 - Cecil County Fair
July 19 - Busy Beavers
August 8 - Skipjack Martha Lewis
August 16 - Stargazing
September 12 - Fox Chasing
October 11– Fox Trot Ball
October 17 - Hayride
October 18 - Leaf Walk
November 15 - Wreath Making
December 6 - Santa Hayride
December 11- Board/Staff Party

Spring Fest: Barb Snyder
The gross receipts on Saturday totaled $11,276. Expenses (75% of pony rides and prizes for the crafters) were $ 570 giving us a revenue of $10706 for the day.
Totals to date are $12554 from Sponsors, and $15,756 from all Festival activities for a total of $28,310.
Expenses, to date have only been $6200, but that does not include WXCY (?$3000).
Please send bills to me directly (15 East Parkway, Elkton, MD 21921) or to the P.O. Box.
Larry Klevans

Discussion:
The event went well, though the crowd actually overwhelmed the volunteer corps at times. We spent a lot on advertising this year.
Dan suggested that we charge $1 per car for parking.
Barb has asked for comments and changes will be incorporated for next year.

Finance Committee: Larry KIevans
Financial Report as of April 30, 2003
1. In April 2003 income ($14974) exceeded expenses ($10048) by $4927. The majority of income items were $2320 in donations, $950 from United Way, $1653 in Membership dues, and $5350 in program fees, and $4555 for summer camp.
2. Major expenses for April 2003 were $6732 for staff wages, $618 for payroll taxes, $470 for supplies and mileage and $1244 for office expenses, $400 for supplies, and $370 for maint. and repairs.
3. As of April 30, 2003 our Year to date Income (YTD) totals $ 35598 vs. a budget of $36570, while YTD expenses total $26,02 vs. a budget of $36,570. Thus, our YTD net income is $9,095.
4. The Fund Balance as of April 30 2003 was $25,153 this increase (from $22,136 on March 31) is a result of the positive cash flow in April. April and May are good income months as tuition for summer camp is collected during these two months.

Larry Klevans, Treasurer

Discussion:
Summer camp money always comes in at this time of the year, which helps the budget

Nomination Committee: Rick Waterhouse
Bob Carroll will definitely not repeat as a board member.
The committee will need to research board membership to determine who is or is not up for replacement.
The committee is still expected to present a slate of new board members at the June meeting.

Nature School Report: Holly Hannum
We began fifth grade classes yesterday and they will continue until the end of the month. We have a full schedule of classes through June 9 due to the rescheduling of classes from early April. We will not invoice for grade 1 until that date. We invoiced last week for grade 2 in the amount of $3, 096.00. Home school Day is planned for May 28. Envirothon testing will be May 15. It was changed due to a conflict with AP exams.
The after school program wrapped up on May 4 with a family program for participants.
We have 138 students registered for summer camp as of this morning. Little Waterworks Camp is full. Week one of camp begins on June 16, before school is out in Chester County. We can’t tell yet if that will have an effect on registration. Theater Camp only has 2 campers so far. We have sent flyers to all the elementary schools and the libraries. Camp information is not on the back of handouts this year. It did not fit because we added an extra week. We had Springfest information on the back until May 3. I have some concern that it may affect registration. We may have to redesign the handout next year.
Janet wrote and received approval for an Aquatic Resource grant for $689.00. That was the source of our original boots from 1992. Since we are now well supplied with boots we asked for an array of supplies and equipment which represent general support for our aquatics program.
If you did not notice as you came in tonight, the end wall of the back of the barn fell off in the wind yesterday. I hope that the state will do something quickly to secure the back wall or demolish the back of the barn in the interest of safety.
Carol Krawcyzk of the U. of D presented a program entitled Plants of the Piedmont on Friday May 9 at 7pm. We had two members in attendance in addition to staff. She will have a group of her students plan a native plant garden in the front of the Center. They will make a presentation to us on May 23. We will need to plant the garden using volunteers.
Holly would like to see the camp information go on the back of the flyer they give out to schools. Spring Fest was advertised on the back this year. Flyer needs to be redesigned for next year to accommodate six weeks of camp offerings.

FHNEC Grants/Personnel Committee: Hinda Smith
Hinda would like the board to keep the position of Executive Director as a focus.
Pat has finished her Access course. Hinda is looking for someone to come to be a support person as Pat starts using the system more.
Nothing new on grant applications at this time.
Dan Sc. would like anyone who is working on a grant to make sure Hinda knows about it, so she can coordinate.

Special Appeal : Mario Gangemi
Mario shared a contribution request letter for members, which was well received. He will have copies ready to go out with the next Buzz.

Public Relations: Doug Hill
The Buzz will go out the last week in May. If anyone has other things to go into this issue, especially names of contributors or others who should be thanked please send them to Doug.
We have lost some of the momentum of the video production, but people are asked to keep up their efforts in making contacts and showing the video.

Membership: Bob Carroll
Bob will leave the membership files here at the center for the next membership chair.
Bob is leaving the board after nine years. Dennis Clower will be in charge of the Membership Committee until a change is made.

Buildings and Grounds: Mario Gangemi
No report.

New Business:
Next Meeting: June 10 6:30 P.M., at the nature center.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Rick Waterhouse

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